Healthy Eating

17 Low-Sugar Dessert Recipes to Get You Through the Holiday Season

Posted by Allison Day on November 15, 2018

Reducing your sugar consumption overall is beneficial for your health on so many levels. But around the holidays, cookies, candies and cakes seem to be around every corner, and avoiding them completely is often unrealistic. For those who are looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while continuing a low-sugar lifestyle, these festive treats save the season.

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Blueberry Skyr Cheesecake

<p>This maple syrup-sweetened, no-bake cheesecake is free of refined sugar and is low in fat. Skyr is a high-protein, Icelandic style of yogurt, which replaces the need for cream cheese in the filling. A vibrant blueberry sauce and press-in date-nut crust make this healthy treat a real show-stopper. Find more inspiration with these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/no-bake-desserts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">no-bake desserts</a>. </p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href=" https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/blueberry-skyr-cheesecake/21774/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Anna Olson’s Blueberry Skyr Cheesecake</strong></a></p>

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

<p>Serve this date-sweetened mousse in small cups topped with berries for a chic dessert, layer with fruit and coconut whip for a healthier holiday trifle or fill vegan shortbread cookies for a cheeky tree-trimming treat. When chocolate mousse is involved, you can’t go wrong.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/chocolate-avocado-mousse/21773/" target="_blank"><strong>Anna Olson’s Chocolate Avocado Mousse</strong></a></p>

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Healthy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

<p>Introducing the flourless and refined sugar-free chocolate chip cookie that will satisfy every decadent dessert craving. Made with tahini, extra-dark chocolate and coarse sea salt on top – you'll be skipping the bûche de noel before you can say "Happy Holidays".</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/this-healthy-cookie-recipe-will-change-your-life/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Healthy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></strong></p>

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Gluten-Free, Vegan Cranberry-Almond Tartlets

<p>A creamy toasted almond filling is an elegant and unexpected flavour that matches beautifully with festive cranberries for a gluten-free and vegan plated dessert that pulls out all the stops – it is the holidays, after all!</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/gluten-free-vegan-cranberry-almond-tartlets/19409/" target="_blank"><strong>Gluten-Free, Vegan Cranberry-Almond Tartlets</strong></a></p>

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Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bark

<p>Sometimes the most unexpected pairings are the best match. In the case of this nutrient-rich low-sugar treat, it's navy beans and raw cacao – made even better with natural peanut butter and banana. Bonus: it's packed with protein.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/frozen-chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-bark/21917/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bark</a></strong></p>

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Healthy Peanut Butter and Jam Squares

<p>Save your oven for the turkey, and make these no bake, gluten-free and vegan PB&J squares. Naturally sweetened, they’re a treat you’ll want to keep on hand beyond the holiday season.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/healthy-peanut-butter-and-jam-squares/15290" target="_blank"><strong>Healthy Peanut Butter and Jam Squares</strong></a></p>

Walnut Breakfast Cookies

<p>Just because these have “breakfast” in the title doesn’t mean you can’t add them to a healthy holiday cookie plate. A variety of textures and warming cinnamon create a festive drop cookie with a nourishing twist.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/walnut-breakfast-cookies-from-the-hot-plate-3265/" target="_blank"><strong>Walnut Breakfast Cookies</strong></a></p>

Healthy Blueberry Ricotta Tartlets

<p>Phyllo pastry holds a lemony ricotta filling sweetened with just a touch of apricot jam for a mini cheesecake-style dessert that’s low in sugar. Blueberries make the presentation pop, while adding a dimension of freshness.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/healthy-blueberry-ricotta-tartlets/20454/" target="_blank"><strong>Healthy Blueberry Ricotta Tartlets</strong></a></p>

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Comforting Apple Pie Oatmeal Bake

<p>A take on apple pie that justifies eating multiple helpings? We're in! Think of this oatmeal bake as a nutrient-dense apple crumble with way less sugar. Tip: top with a dollop of unsweetened coconut yogurt instead of ice cream.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/healthy-apple-pie-oatmeal-bake/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Comforting Apple Pie Oatmeal Bake</a></strong></p>

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Flourless Shortbread with Apple Preserves

<p>This shortbread is gluten-free, made with almond flour and brown rice flour, and bound by cheddar cheese and a touch of butter. Only a small amount of honey, along with dates, are used to sweeten them up. Skip the apple preserves to reduce the sugar further, and serve with thinly sliced fresh apples or homemade applesauce instead.</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href=" https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/flourless-shortbread-with-apple-pie-preserves/12697/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Anna Olson’s Flourless Shortbread with Apple Preserves</strong></a></p>

Paleo Granola

<p>Yes: you could argue that granola is not a dessert. But trust us when we say you'll want to sprinkle this version on everything – from sugar-free yogurt to <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/dairy-free-banana-ice-cream/15820/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">banana "ice cream"</a>. You can even add it to the batter of your favourite healthy baked good. But it's just as delicious on its own!</p>
<p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/5-eggless-paleo-breakfasts-including-this-epic-grain-free-granola/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Paleo Granola</strong></a></p>